Online and Distance Learning

This page is about elementary education online degrees.  This page provides information on what is studied and where you can study online elementary education degrees, what's studied in the programs, what the career prospects are, and more.  

These degrees prepare you for jobs in education and administration in elementary or primary education, which usually incorporates at least the first five grades of compulsory education in the US. 

Some schools use a "looping system" where the same teacher teaches the same group of students for two years. Recently, schools have been trialling various arrangements which break from the one-teacher, one-class mould.  So the elementary school teacher needs flexibility to be able to teach across several systems/modes.  They also need to be able to teach a range of areas and ages.

You might also like to check out the online early childhood degrees.

Finding schools for elementary education online degrees

Elementary education degrees can be taken at associate, bachelor's, master's or doctoral levels. If you want to browse areas available and the schools offering the degrees, use the search form or the list of schools below.

• Kaplan University Online
  • AS in Interdisciplinary Studies / Early Childhood Development

• University of Phoenix Online
  • Associate of Arts in Elementary Education
  • MA in Education / Early Childhood Education

• Capella University
  • MS in Education - Early Childhood Education specialization

• Jones International University
  • M. Ed. in Elementary Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Teacher Licensure
  • M. Ed. in Elementary Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

• Grand Canyon University - College of Education
  • B.S. in Early Childhood
  • B.S. Elementary Ed - English Emphasis (Eligible for IR / Cred)
  • B.S. Elementary Ed - Math Emphasis (Eligible for IR / Cred)
  • B.S. Elementary Ed - Science Emphasis (Eligible for IR / Cred)
  • B.S. in Elementary / Special Education (Dual Major)
  • M.Ed. Elementary Ed (Eligible for IR / Credential)
  • M.Ed. Elementary Ed (Not Eligible for IR / Non - Credential)
  • M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction: Reading - Elementary Education (No IR, No Certification)

• Northcentral University Online
  • Doctor of Education (EdD) - Early Childhood Education
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Education - Early Childhood Education

• Penn Foster Career School
  • Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education

• Browse more education schools and programs at the foot of the page

• Search for elementary education online degrees.

• Click the following link for Canadian campus universities and campus colleges.  It also provides some advice on choosing a suitable campus.

What do the degrees cover?

There are various ways and levels in which you can approach qualifying in the elementary education area, including an Associate of Arts in Elementary Education, an MS in Early Childhood Education and an MEd in Elementary Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment.  To ensure graduates are able to teach children effectively in elementary education setting, programs typically include online elementary education courses in curriculum development, classroom management, assessment, pedagogy and classroom methodology, administrative techniques, and educational psychology.

What jobs do the programs prepare you for?

Education is one of the largest industries and there are many elementary education career options.  Elementary education usually incorporate at least the first five grades of compulsory education in the US.  Teaching tends to focus on developing basic reading, writing, mathematics, and social skills. 

Elementary education online programs can be taken at any level, and this will determine the range of jobs available.  Graduates with a Bachelors degree in elementary education find careers as teachers or administrators in elementary or early childhood learning environments.  A Master of Education (MEd) in elementary education is often necessary for a position as an administrator, curriculum developer, or education program director.  For teaching elementary education in a college or university, a masters degree or PhD is required.

What are the earnings of graduates?

The United States Department of Labor reports an approximate annual income of about $50,000 for early childhood and elementary teachers.  Prospects are good in the sector as the government has placed an emphasis on it.

For more schools and programs